In this and the next posts Vols I and II (respectively) of James Stanislaus Bell’s seminal book “Journal of a Residence in Circassia” will be presented.
James Stanislaus Bell, “Journal of a Residence in Circassia during the Years 1837, 1838 and 1839”, London: Edward Moxon, 1840; reprinted: Adamant Media Corporation, 2000; reprinted: Routledge, 2001 (2 vols).
[Download volume I: https://archive.org/details/journalofresiden00bell]
James Stanislaus Bell (1797-1858) was a British merchant and adventurer. He lived among the Circassians in the years 1837, 1838, and 1839, and he published his memoirs in 1840. During his long sojourn in Circassia Bell played a major role in organizing Circassian resistance against Russian encroachment. He was the owner of the famous vessel “The Vixen”, which was seized by the Russian navy in November 1836.
Bell’s presented us with invaluable depictions of some of the leaders of the Circassian resistance against Russian occupation of Circassia in the late 1830s. Chief amongst these was Qizbech son of Tighwzch Scherel’iqwe [Hadji Ghazil Beg, “The Lion of Circassia”]. The heroism of Qizbech Scherel’iqwe has inspired a number of chants and other musical compositions (listed below).
List of illustrations in Vol. I:
1. Hadji Ghazil Beg (The Lion of Circassia) [Qizbech son of Tighwzch Scherel’iqwe; ШэрэлIыкъо Тыгъужъыкъо Къызбэч; ca. 1777- ca. 1840]. Heroic chants were composed in his honour. [Lithograph by Henry Warren after a sketch by James Stanislaus Bell]
2. Three Circassian resistance leaders in the late 1830s: Tshurukh-oku Tughuz [Tighwzch Shirix’wqwe; Щырыхъукъо Тыгъужъ], Hadji-oku Mehmet, and Vordezav-Oku Zepsh. [Lithograph by Henry Warren after a sketch by James Stanislaus Bell]
3. Ancient Tomb in the Valley of Pshat, Western Circassia. [Lithograph by G. Barnard after a sketch by James Stanislaus Bell]
4. Map to illustrate “Narrative of a Residence in Circassia”, by James Stanislaus Bell, 1840. [Drawn by John Arrowsmith; published by Edward Moxon, London, 1840]
Songs composed on the heroism of Qizbech son of Tighwzch Scherel’iqwe:
Qizbech Wij (Къызбэч Удж): Absolutely entrancing song (and dance) on Qizbech son of Tighwzch Scherel’iqwe by Yislhamiy [words of chant given below]: http://www.izlevideo.net/–440549.html
Song on Qizbech son of Tighwzch Scherel’iqwe by the band Zchiw:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDRTnw6PqXQ
Heavy metal song on Qizbech son of Tighwzch Scherel’iqwe by the band Oshten: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Chk2MqsIAEw
Short account (in Circassian) of Qizbech son of Tighwzch Scherel’iqwe by Khusen Daur [Даур Хъусен: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WENEgnKMwWc
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